AMA president optimistic about a fix for Medicare's doctor payment formula

Debated and despised, the Medicare physician payment formula may finally be on the way out – at least that's what AMA President Ardis Hoven believes. Known as the "sustainable growth rate" or SGR, the formula routinely threatens double-digit payment reduction to doctors until Congress steps in at the last minute to stop the cuts. Currently a 25 percent cut looms Jan. 1 unless Congress takes action again. An admitted optimist, Hoven says she sees plenty of evidence to support her view that Congress is prepared to pass a permanent SGR fix this year. The AMA president points to wide bipartisan support in both chambers.